ARCANUM explores traditional British Old Craft magic, aiming specifically at solitary practitioners, and providing a safe way to gain a solid grounding in practical Craft techniques. Most people learn about magic and witchcraft from books, and they learn alone. Their magic remains a very personal and private thing. This has one very major drawback, however ... where do you go to ask niggling questions, or check whether you are working safely and efficiently?

ARCANUM is a 12-part foundation course in traditional Craft methods and techniques. The course is also aimed at those wishing to understand more about the practical elements of magical practice before they join a working group, or if they just wish to continue to work alone. We provide a team of experienced magical practitioners in order to answer questions on any aspects of magic. This means you can ask for help from someone whose background and antecedents have been checked by Coven of the Scales and with whose work you may already be familiar.

ARCANUM provides a broad-based introduction to basic Craft magical techniques that will prevent you from being deceived by those with lesser expertise than yourself. It is a non-initiatory course but the successful completion of the 12-months instruction may result in the invitation to join an established group. Any invitation will be made privately at the discretion of the tutors involved and should not be expected, or automatically taken for granted, upon completion of the course.

ARCANUM is an accessible, structured foundation course providing sound guidance for those wishing to explore different areas of Craft practice before committing themselves to a particular Path or Tradition. It is not affiliated, associated or connected with any other group, organisation, or on-line site using a similar name, claiming consanguinity, or attempting to identify with either the Coven of the Scales or the Esoteric Order of the Serpent in order to promote their own claims of personal, magical, political, homological, corporate or commercial fellowships.

If we are going to discuss the differences between traditional Craft and contemporary paganism, the first observation will be that in traditional Craft, a witch is born not made. This is because the ‘witchyness’ of an individual is decided by their natural abilities rather than joining an organised group and progressing through the ranks. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to give a comprehensive guide to the inner workings of traditional Craft because it is (and has always been) extremely private.

What little is written about traditional Craft will only give a superficial overview of what is meant by traditional witchcraft. True Craft is experienced through a series of personal revelations under the guidance of a mentor. This is similar to the Japanese Zen concept of kensho — the number of minor satori-like ‘mini-enlightenments’ that happen over a long period of time.

In truth, practitioners of traditional Craft are less concerned with ritual and dogma, and more focused on energy-raising techniques, which they use to channel or direct spells and charms according to the nature of the working. Traditional Craft witches do not worship Nature but they are certainly proficient at working in harmony with it … and are highly spiritual beings on this level. Unlike the majority of modern pagans, however, they accept Nature as being red in tooth and claw and do not seek to impose their will on the natural cycle of the seasons. They also accept the timeless concept of the hunter and the hunted, and the essential inter-action of male-female energy.

Using proven personal training techniques, ARCANUM encourages magical and spiritual development within the framework of a supportive traditional Craft coven system. It will help you to ...

Understand and distinguish between the genuine and the role-playing

Work with the roots and triggers which underlie each magical/mystical experience

Practice ‘listening’ skills within Nature and develop the personal ability to empathise with the natural tides.

Understand the rational and intelligent basis of magical application

Acknowledge and accept your ‘shadow side’

Hold fast to the commitment of your spiritual transformation

Move on … and allow change and positive growth, both magically and spiritually

Maximise your personal capacity for learning - and lead a more fulfilled life within Craft as a result

THE TUITION The monthly lessons are broken down into Tasks and Exercises aimed at broadening the student’s concepts of magical practice and traditional Craft techniques.

Lesson 1: What is traditional Craft? A practical definition of the term ‘magic’ Identifying natural ‘witch-power’ and how to use it. Natural tides and the Craft year.

Lesson 2: The use of visualisation and pathworking. The power of the Circle. Ritual equipment and regalia. The Magical Journal.

Lesson 3: Summoning the spirits. The natural world. Magical protection. Psychic cleansing and empowerment. The Pouch and its content.

Lesson 12: A general assessment and reflection on the year’s study. Where do we go from here?

In order for the co-ordinators to select the correct tutor, we ask prospective students to complete the confidential questionnaire. Once a student has been accepted and assigned a tutor, they will be expected to work together on a close personal basis. For more information apply to: moonraker369cos@gmail.com

I thoroughly recommend this course. Due to personal circumstances it is taking me a long time to progress, but I am thoroughly enjoying it.
You are not continually spoonfed, you need to engage in the practical exercises, reflect, practice and think for yourself. Questions are actively encouraged and the personal tutor support has been far more than I have ever experienced before. No question is daft and the friendship that's building between my tutor and I is one I hope to hang on to long after the course completes. I have also received so much support with personal challenges, and not just from my tutor. Everyone pulls together to help you no matter what the problem. You get a real sense of belonging.
I wish I had been open about my personal circumstances when I first enrolled near two years ago instead of just dropping out. So glad I opened up and was enabled to come back and progress.

Don't dabble with things just gleaned from books. Do it right and follow the signposts and lessons of the course. It's much safer.